The Islamic State’s Perversion of Hijra
The Arabic word jihad – once used to describe the duty of all Muslims to act according to their faith – has long had a more malign connotation: the waging of holy war. With the rise of the Islamic State, another term has been refashioned for inclusion in the lexicon of extremist violence.
LONDON – In recent decades, the Arabic word jihad – once used to describe the duty of all Muslims to act according to their faith – has become overwhelmingly associated with the waging of violent war against non-believers. With the rise of the Islamic State, another term has been refashioned for inclusion in the lexicon of extremist violence: hijra.